ACAD 101

Principles of the Learning Academy

Winthrop University Fall 2009

Office Hours:  TR 1:00-3:00 PM

Principles of the Learning Academy is an essential course for all first-time freshmen.  This course introduces first-year students to the concepts, principles, and skills necessary for successful higher learning and facilitates students’ adjustment to and engagement in the learning academy.

         By the end of this course, students will

·         understand their responsibilities within the classroom and at the university,

·         understand support services and learning opportunities,

·         develop a sense of community and connection to the university,

·         develop successful academic skills and attitudes, and

·         connect personal and social responsibility to their own academic efforts.

Student Goals in the Touchstone Program http://www.winthrop.edu/universitycollege/Touchstone/Touchstonegoals.htm

The Touchstone Program is Winthrop University’s distinctive approach to general education. ACAD 101 helps students understand and begin progress toward their goals in the Touchstone Program. 

Goal One: To communicate clearly and effectively in standard English
Goal Two: To acquire and appreciate quantitative skills
Goal Three: To use critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a variety of research methods
Goal Four: To recognize and appreciate human diversity (both past and present) as well as the diversity of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles
Goal Five: To understand scientific knowledge in terms of its methods or acquisition, its specific quantitative nature, and its dynamic and contingent character
Goal Six: To understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the interconnectedness of the literary, visual, and performing arts throughout the history of civilization
Goal Seven: To examine values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits which define the nature and quality of life

Core Commitments: Educating Students for Personal and Social Responsibility

http://www.winthrop.edu/corecommitments/five_dimensions.htm

As a community of learners, we are committed to these dimensions of personal and social responsibility:

·         Striving for Excellence

·         Cultivating Personal and Academic Integrity

·         Contributing to a Larger Community

·         Taking Seriously the Perspectives of Others

·         Refining Ethical and Moral Reasoning

Students with Disabilities:  Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Gena Smith, Program Director, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290.  Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as soon as possible.

The ACAD101 Learning Environment includes three groups:

·         Students, whose responsibilities include attending class and other activities associated with the course, participating in class discussions, and completing assignments on time

·         A Peer Mentor, whose responsibilities include attending class and facilitating classroom activities, organizing group attendance at cultural events, and coordinating the service-learning project and other out-of-class activities

·         The Instructor, whose responsibilities include attending class, facilitating discussions, acting as a resource for information, and providing feedback on students’ ideas and academic performance

Attendance is required both for regularly scheduled class time and for special events beyond class time. Absences and tardiness may lower the course grade; excessive absences (25% or more of classes/events) will result in a grade of N or F.  Use of a communication device during class time (or class events) is prohibited; students who use a communication device during class time (or class events) may be counted absent and may receive a grade of zero on related work.

All students are expected to join the instructor and peer mentor in building a safe environment in this class -- a place in which students will be treated with respect regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. 

ACAD101 students are expected to cultivate personal and academic integrity.  Academic misconduct will be addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code and the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Required Reading

Baker, Russell. Growing Up. 1982. New York: Plume, 2009. Print.

The following three readings can be accessed through http://www2.winthrop.edu/acad/ .

Association of American Colleges and Universities. "Academic Freedom and Educational Responsibility: A Statement of the Board of Directors of the Association of American Colleges and Universities." Washington, DC:  AAC&U, 2006.

Winthrop University. “Student Conduct Code.”  Rock Hill, SC:  Winthrop University, 2009.

Facts on Tap for College Students. Phoenix House, n.d. Web. 1 August 2009.

University Survey and Assessment Projects

ACAD students may be asked to participate in one or more survey or assessment projects.  Winthrop University is committed to continuous improvement of its curriculum and programs based on the best evidence and data available.

Assignments (see calendar on page 5 of the syllabus for specific due dates)

·         Convocation and Community Picnic

Students attend Convocation in Byrnes Auditorium with their Peer Mentors.

·         Turnitin Registration

Students must register for their specific ACAD101 sections on Turnitin.  College students use Turnitin as a tool to facilitate timely submission of assignments and to promote the highest level of integrity.  All written reflection assignments in ACAD101 will be submitted through Turnitin.  To set up your account, go to http://www.turnitin.com (for help:  http://www2.winthrop.edu/dacus/resources/turnitin.htm).  You will need the CLASSID (2784076) and the ENROLLMENT PASSWORD (martin).

·         Readings

Students must read the common book and complete a related test as scheduled on the syllabus (see calendar).  Students must read the three additional readings listed on page 2 of the syllabus and found online at http://www2.winthrop.edu/acad/, and they must submit brief written reflections for each through Turnitin.

·         Cultural Event Assignments

Students must attend at least two cultural events during the semester and write a brief reflection for each event.  Reflections must be submitted through Turnitin. [Though the university may award cultural event credit, Alcohol education programs and “You Can’t Take it with You” will not count toward fulfilling the two cultural events required for ACAD101]

·         The Department of Theatre and Dance Presents You Can’t Take it with You

One of the classic screwball comedies of the American theatre, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play resonates with many themes in the common book.  Students must attend a performance of the play (9/29 – 10/4);  to do so, they must purchase a ticket voucher from the bookstore at a significant discount, and then work with the peer mentor in class to exchange the voucher for a ticket to a specific performance.  A brief written reflection must be submitted through Turnitin. [The play is not to be counted as one of the required cultural events for ACAD101, although attendance will count toward university CE credit]

·         Alcohol Education

Students must attend one alcohol education program from the scheduled programs (see http://www2.winthrop.edu/acad/).  A brief written reflection regarding the program must be submitted through Turnitin and is due within one week of the attended event.  [Alcohol education is not to be counted as one of the required cultural events for ACAD101 although some of the events may count toward university CE credit.]

Students must also explore the online modules at Phoenix House’s “Facts on Tap for College Students” and submit a brief written reflection through Turnitin no later than September 16.

http://www.factsontap.org/factsontap/students.htm

·         Library Orientation

Students must complete the Library Orientation: http://www2.winthrop.edu/dacus/resources/acadresources.htm

·         Clubs and Organizations

Students must attend the Clubs & Organizations Festival on September 8 at 11 AM on the Byrnes Lawn.  Students must then attend at least one meeting of a campus club or organization, of their choosing, and submit a brief written reflection through Turnitin no later than October 21.

·         Service-Learning Project

Contributing to the larger community is among our core commitments.  Inspired by the economic depression depicted in the common book, the ACAD101 service learning projects are related to alleviating hunger in the community.  Students must participate in the service-learning project as organized by the peer mentor and submit a brief written reflection through Turnitin.

·         Study Hall Attendance and Outlines

This LEAP section of ACAD 101 has a required study hall component.  You must attend study hall three nights per week, bring all pertinent books and assignments, complete weekly outlines and follow the protocol established.  The ACAD instructor will receive attendance records and specific feedback from all study hall instructors and monitors.  Additional information will be provided regarding requirements at our first study hall meeting.